Right-backs Jarell Quansah and Reece James will miss England’s World Cup last-32 match against DR Congo because of injury.
The pair did not take part in training on Tuesday before Wednesday’s game in Atlanta (17:00 BST), which is live on BBC One and iPlayer.
England manager Thomas Tuchel could utilise Djed Spence at right-back again, or move versatile Aston Villa man Ezri Konsa from central defence.
“They are getting close,” Tuchel said of the missing pair. “In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece.
“But the race was close even to make it into the match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches.
“That is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon.”
Quansah came off with a twisted ankle in England’s 2-0 win over Panama in their final group game on Saturday, with Spence replacing the Bayer Leverkusen defender.
The former Liverpool player had come into the side for his World Cup debut after Chelsea defender James was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in the 0-0 draw with Ghana in England’s second group game.
Tuchel had previously said James could be in contention for the DR Congo match, but has now ruled him out.
The injuries at right-back have put scrutiny on Tuchel’s squad selection for this tournament with some questioning whether the make-up of the squad is balanced.
On the eve of England’s first game of the tournament, Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad with a calf issue, with Trevoh Chalobah called up in his place.
Tuchel said Chalobah was called up as a central defensive option, with Quansah and Spence the players to cover the full-back areas.
Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was overlooked. He only played for Tuchel once because of injury and was not selected for squads in the build-up to this tournament.
Source: BBC
